The Founder’s Story
Vongai Nyahunzvi, AFWAG’s Founder & CEO, was born in the humble township of Norton, just outside Harare, Zimbabwe. Growing up during the 1980s, Vongai witnessed firsthand the harsh realities faced by girls in her community—where futures were often defined by societal expectations, early motherhood, and the belief that a girl’s dreams should fit within narrowly prescribed limits.
Her story could have followed that same path. But something remarkable happened. Two local NGOs, working quietly but powerfully, stepped in and shattered those expectations. They offered mentorship, education, and reproductive health knowledge to girls like Vongai—gifts that went far beyond mere opportunities. These were lifelines. Through their support, Vongai discovered her potential, found her voice, and realised that she was capable of much more than her circumstances suggested. With this newfound strength, she not only completed her education but unlocked doors to a future she had once thought was beyond her reach.
Years later, when Vongai learned that both organisations and many others that supported girls like her had ceased to exist, the pain was real. They had shut down due to leadership challenges, organisational challenges and governance issues. The bridges that had lifted her out of limitation had crumbled. She knew she couldn’t allow the lifeline that had once saved her to disappear for the next generation of girls. Her personal journey ignited a deep sense of purpose—a mission to build and preserve new bridges for others. She founded AFWAG, determined that no girl should have to wonder what could have been if only someone had cared enough to invest in her potential.
Vongai’s story is not unique, but the response to it must be. AFWAG exists because the world cannot afford to let the voices, dreams, and futures of girls be drowned out by silence. We are here to ensure that the bridges to opportunity are not only rebuilt but made stronger, ensuring that every girl can step confidently into her own power, today and for generations to come.
